News

JDAMs Used Heavily Against ISIS Targets

—Marc V. Schanz10/8/2014

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A total of 955 US and coalition munitions have
been expended during offensive strikes on ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria as of
Oct. 6, according to a US Central Command analysis. Although Air Forces Central
Command has not provided any detailed breakdown of munitions used by USAF or
coalition aircraft, the daily summary gives some insight into which munitions
are being utilized in the strikes. GBU-38 500-pound bombs appear to be the
go-to weapon for coalition aircraft. Naval strike aircraft have dropped 63
GBU-38 500-pound joint direct attack munitions since the campaign began, as
well as 26 GBU-54s, which are 500-pound JDAMs with laser seekers attached to
better strike moving targets. A total of 36 AGM-65E Maverick air-to-ground
missiles also have been fired at targets in the campaign by naval aircraft,
according to Naval Forces Central Command figures included in the analysis. As
of Oct. 5, 47 RGM-109E Tomahawk cruise missiles also have been fired in the
campaign.